Readability
We read, mainly, not by parsing the letters of words, but by recognizing the shapes of words and phrases. Thus, type that is highly readable (“easy and pleasant” to read) must also be legible. That is, the characters and words must be easily “deciphered by the eye.” Legibility alone, however, “doesn't make text readable.” (James Felici, The Complete Manual of Typography, pp. 104, 309, 316.)
Page design greatly affects readability. A well-designed page displays regular, distinctive patterns, and a strong contrast between text blocks, headings, and surrounding space. This attracts the reader's eye and helps the reader quickly find and comprehend the information that is displayed.
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